Trump Cleans House: 'America First' Means Only His First
A recent report notes that Donald Trump removed nearly 30 diplomats from ambassadorial positions, primarily in African countries, for not 'fully supporting' his 'America First agenda.' This isn't just standard transition; it's a purge that prioritizes ideological alignment over foreign policy experience, weakening the very institutions meant to represent U.S. interests abroad. (One might wonder if
'America First' translates to 'America Alone' when you're alienating your own diplomatic corps.) While mainstream outlets frame this as presidential prerogative, it underscores a recurring theme: the gutting of professional foreign service for political expediency. Such moves historically cripple effective diplomacy and can leave critical regions vulnerable to influence vacuums—vacuums often
filled by nations with far less regard for democratic norms. It raises the question: why is 'America First' always at the cost of American competence?